Foot Care

[Lithril]

I want to start spending a bit of time sorting my feet out this year, partly due to the fact that I'm doing the sponsored Trailwalker (100km in 30 hours) in July.

I know that lots of walking is key and thats not going to be a problem.

I've heard 2 lines of thought on this, one is that you need to get the skin as tough as possible, lots of surgical spirit and walking to build up the calluses.

The other is that whilst you need the skin tough you should be putting on plenty of moisturiser etc to keep it supple as calluses cause more blisters.

At the moment the skin is a bit dry and flakey but only on the ball of my foot under the big toe (sorry for the detail).

I've got some Gehwol footcream to put on before I start walking, but what about the rest of the time? Just surgical spirt or alternating with moisturiser, how often etc?

Am I looking too much into this or should I just get walking

Cheers

Matt

 

[Jared]

Came across this recently, http://www.hapihike.co.uk/ .

Loose sheep wool, impregnated with peppermint oil, which you just wrap/stuff around any problem spots.

Not tried it, so can't validate any of their claims.

 

[Toddy]

Sandbender walks huuuuge great distances.....if he doesn't see this thread, maybe pm him and ask?

Very best of luck on the walk

cheers,
Toddy

 

[sandbender]

Sandbender walks huuuuge great distances....

Such huge distances that the soles of my feet are now tougher than the soles of my boots

Everyone seems to have a different formula for foot care, mine involves only ever wearing Meindle Borneos, or a pair of AT sandals, expose and massage your feet whenever you stop, have plenty of spare socks and swap them around throughout the day, I usually only use wool socks however in hot conditions I will use 'coolmax' ones, or sandals. Stop every now and then and redo your laces, tighter or less tight whichever feels best.

I have never used, alcohol, veterinary udder cream or any of the other treatments recommended by others, but that doesn't mean that these are not good options for someone unused to walking long distances.

To conclude "just get walking "

Hope this helps

 

[leon-1]

I am like Sandbender, I have covered quite large distances (96 Km's in 13 hours in Poland) and I don't use anything on my feet.

I have seen skin split where it has been too hard, the guy had told us he used surgical spirit on his feet, although not necessarily the main cause of the splitting, it was almost definitely a contributing factor.

Gradually build distance, speed and weight to toughen up your feet. Clean, powdered feet and fresh socks are a good way to go.

 

[Shambling Shaman]

I have to agree with Sandbender.
I have done the Vierdaagse (Nijmegen marches) 6 times no messing about just break in your boots and give your feet a good rub/airing where possible.
Clean dry socks half way round and at the end.

Good Luck

 

[SMARTY]

Do as the fellas suggest. Good boots well worn in. Fresh socks and training. Carry a blister just kit in case.
Enjoy the walk

 

[rancid badger]

I want to start spending a bit of time sorting my feet out this year, partly due to the fact that I'm doing the sponsored Trailwalker (100km in 30 hours) in July.

I know that lots of walking is key and thats not going to be a problem.

I've heard 2 lines of thought on this, one is that you need to get the skin as tough as possible, lots of surgical spirit and walking to build up the calluses.

The other is that whilst you need the skin tough you should be putting on plenty of moisturiser etc to keep it supple as calluses cause more blisters.

At the moment the skin is a bit dry and flakey but only on the ball of my foot under the big toe (sorry for the detail).

I've got some Gehwol footcream to put on before I start walking, but what about the rest of the time? Just surgical spirt or alternating with moisturiser, how often etc?

Am I looking too much into this or should I just get walking

Cheers

Matt

I understand that most surgical spirit has castor oil included to act as a moisturising agent?
Regardless, I used surgical spirit from when I was 15 to "harden" my feet. I found that after a while you don't need to use it, unless you have been off your feet(not marching/patrolling/hillwalking etc) for a couple of months or more. So, 30 years of using it and I would recommend anyone else do the same.
I have walked long distance, in short times, over rough terrain in testing conditions and carrying serious weight.
I suggest you go with option 1 treat your feet and get out there asap getting the miles on. Be prepared to get blisters, some don't but most do, so get your self a selection of compeed plasters as well as one of their little wax anti rubbing sticks. The wax sticks are particularly good, you apply the stuff (before putting your socks on )
to any area you expect to blister.You could probably do with some zinc oxide plaster tape as well.As soon as you get "hotspots", stop and sort them out then crack on.

The main thing I have found is to make sure your boots fit and you have good quality socks.
The other thing is; not to worry too much about blisters! If you knock yourself up mentally before you start, you won't enjoy the event.At the end of the day, blisters heal quickly

Get out there and get some miles in over as varied terrain as possible.

The above has served me well as I say, for 30 years. Some good advice re: airing your feet, changing your socks etc.

Best Wishes
R.B.

 

[Lithril]

Boots are well worn in, been using my Meindle Burmas for about 5 years and I must admit they're on their last legs but their still comfortable. When in the hills I tend to get the odd blister, mainly because I don't get time to get out as much as I'd like (cutting right back on DoE next year). Different lacing techniques work well there though.

Socks, used to use Smartwool and still do if I'm going to be in them for a long time, for walking though I find the loft settles too quickly and then they're not much good, so I'm back on synthetic mixes now.

My problem is that I've been off my feet for a month or so but not been out for any serious walking since Christmas so I didn't know if there was anything for a booster. I tend to find though if I spend too long in bare feet or sandles my skin starts to crack, normally under my little toe.

Cheers for the advice though, going up to Brecon this weekend, Purbecks on Tuesday, and the lakes most likely on Thursday for a few days... really hope appendix has fully healed

 

[Ben Trout]

• Choose your boots carefully
• Do plenty of training walks
• Spend time setting up the boots for your feet. Different 'locks' in the lacing can alter fit in areas of the boot.
• Experiment with different sock combinations until you find what works best for you

On walks;

• Keep your feet dry, as best you can (I really like seal skinz waterproof socks)
• Deal with blisters sooner rather than later

Changing socks regularly is good advice. I've never tried the hardening skin idea although I've been hearing it forever. It seems like bad news to me. If you get split skin in hot sweaty boots the wound is going to get manky very quickly and could be more painful than blisters.

Keep us up to date. Hope it goes well.